Newark NJ vs Pittsburgh PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Newark
16.5%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 303,620 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 9.3% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 46.7% | 22.5% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 4.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,080 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 319 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1613 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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